Direct observation of a fast single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation from a CuII-framework to a CuI-chain mediated by ascorbic acid

Abstract

With the help of ascorbic acid as reductant, an exceedingly rare example of a visible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation from a Cu^II-framework to a Cu^I-chain under mild conditions has been observed, which involves the metal valence tautomerism and restructuring of bonds. The two compounds exhibit the properties of solvatochromism and luminescence aggregation-induced-emission towards CH₃OH, respectively.